Apparatus for coating a moving glass substrate

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for coating a moving substrate which provides means for directing a coating composition vapor toward a substrate surface and moving portions of the vapor in opposite directions. The apparatus of the present invention may have the exhaust means on either side of the vapor directing means spaced at different distances from the vapor directing means, or the exhaust means may be spaced equally from the vapor directing means, but at different distances from the substrate surface. In another embodiment, the apparatus comprises the means to alter the flow volume of the vapor directing means and the two exhaust means such that the flow volume of the first and second exhaust means are not equal, such as by the exhaust means having openings of unequal surface area, wherein the exhaust means may be spaced equally or unequally from the vapor directing means at the same or different distances from the substrate surface. In another embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a structural element bridging the space between the vapor directing means and the exhaust means, which may be spaced equally or unequally from the vapor directing means, and at the same or different distances from the substrate surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/264,816 filed Jun. 23, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,464,657, which is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/017,930 filed Feb. 16, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,356,718.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to an apparatus for the chemical vapor deposition of one or more coating constituents on a substrate e.g. glass, and more particularly to an apparatus for producing a coating with a nonuniform composition.

2. Description of the Relevant Art

It is known in the art that when a film of a transparent metal oxide, such as tin oxide, is deposited on a glass substrate, the coated glass substrate has non-uniform light-reflection across the visible spectrum because of the difference in the refractive index between the metal oxide and the glass substrate. In addition, when the thickness of the metal oxide coating is not uniform, the coating tends to display a multiplicity of interference color effects commonly referred to as iridescence. Such iridescence effects render the coated glass aesthetically unacceptable for most architectural applications. Thus, various methods to mask such iridescence effects and/or reduce reflectance have been proposed.

One technique for minimizing or eliminating the difference of the refractive index between a metal oxide and a glass substrate is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,378,396 to Zaromb wherein a glass substrate is coated by simultaneously directing separate sprays of a tin chloride solution and of a silicon chloride solution onto a stationary heated glass piece in an oxidizing atmosphere e.g. air. The heat of the glass piece thermally converts the metal chlorides to their metal oxides. The ratio of the sprays to each other are gradually varied to vary the ratio of the weight percent of the metal oxides in the coating. The resultant coating has a continuously-changing composition throughout its thickness, e.g. near the glass-coating interface, the coating is predominantly silicon oxide, the surface of the coating furthest from the glass-coating interface is predominantly tin oxide and there-between the coating is made up of varying weight percent amounts of silicon oxide and tin oxide. Strong in his publication entitled "Practical Applications of High and Low-Reflecting Films on Glass", pages 441-443 of Le Journal de Physique et Le Radium, Vol. 11, July 1950, teaches that a coating technique similar to that taught by Zaromb reduces the iridescence of the coated article.

Additional techniques using the Zaromb teachings to coat a moving substrate are taught in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,206,252 and 4,440,882. These patents further teach the depositing of a second coating composed of fluorine-doped tin oxide on the first coating of the type taught by Zaromb.

Gordon, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,187,336 and 4,308,316 discloses the reduction of iridescence of a tin oxide coating on a glass substrate by the use of an intermediate coating between the tin oxide coating and the glass substrate having a thickness and refractive index satisfying the optical equation: the refractive index of the intermediate coating is equal to the square root of the refractive index of the glass substrate times the refractive index of the tin oxide coating.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,377,613 and 4,419,386 to Gordon disclose a reduction in iridescence arising from a tin oxide film on a glass substrate by providing two intermediate coating layers between the glass substrate and the tin oxide. The intermediate layer next to the surface of the glass substrate has a high refractive index, while the intermediate layer farther from the surface of the glass substrate and next to the tin oxide film has a lower refractive index.

In general, the patents discussed above, except for U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,206,252 and 4,440,822, teach coating a stationary glass substrate. Apparatuses for coating a moving glass substrate with metal oxides are disclosed in the above discussed U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,206,252 and 4,440,882 to Gordon, and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,853,257 to Henery and U.S. Pat. No. 4,386,117 to Gordon.

In U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,206,252 and 4,440,882, the underside of a moving hot glass ribbon is coated by directing coating compositions containing metal compounds toward the ribbon surface, whose compounds are converted to their corresponding metal oxides.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,853,257 discloses an apparatus for depositing a low emissivity film on a glass ribbon by directing metal-containing coating reactants in vapor form onto the upper surface of a glass ribbon while the glass ribbon is supported on a molten metal bath contained in a non-oxidizing atmosphere. The carrier gas, the unreacted coating composition and any decomposition by-products are removed from the coating zone by an exhaust orifice on each side of, and equidistant from, the position where the coating reactants in vapor form are directed toward the glass ribbon.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,386,117 discloses a process for depositing a mixed metal oxide coating on a glass substrate by directing a gaseous mixture onto a moving glass ribbon and then exhausting gases from the coating zone at two locations equidistant from the entry of the gaseous mixture into the coating zone.

Although each of the apparatuses and processes taught in the above-discussed patents is acceptable for its intended purpose, there are limitations when the apparatuses and processes are used to apply the coating of Zaromb to a moving heated glass substrate, e.g. a glass ribbon supported on a molten metal bath contained in a non-oxidizing atmosphere. It would be advantageous, therefore, to provide apparatuses and processes to deposit the coating of Zaromb on a moving heated substrate as well as the metal containing precursors used in the preparation of the coating.

One of the limitations of the presently available vapor coating system for coating a glass ribbon moving at fast speeds e.g. about 600 inches/min. (15.24 meters/min.) is that the vapor coating mixture does not have sufficient time to deposit a coating of acceptable thickness on the glass ribbon. The article entitled "The LPCVD of Silicon Oxide Films Below 700° F. (400° C.) From Liquid Sources" by A. K. Hochberg and D. L. O'Meara published in J. Electrochem. Soc. Vol. 136, No. 6, June 1989 copyrighted by The Electrochemical Society, Inc. pps. 1843 and 1844 teaches the use of trimethylphosphite to accelerate coating deposition below 750° F. (400° C.). The publication "User's Guide For: Glass Deposition with LTO-410™ Source Material" by Dr. A. Hochberg and Dr. B. Gelernt, copyrighted 1990 by Schumacher of Carlsbad, Calif., 92009 teaches that the LTO-410 process is not significantly changed with the addition of trimethylphosphite.

Although the use of accelerants is taught, there are no teachings that such accelerants are beneficial at elevated temperatures e.g. above 750° F. (400° C.). Therefore it would be advantageous to provide accelerants for coating systems that operate at temperatures above about 1000° F. (536° C.).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates an apparatus for coating a moving substrate e.g. a glass ribbon supported and advancing on a pool of molten metal e.g. tin, with a film or coating having a continuously changing chemical composition as the distance from the glass-coating interface increases. The apparatus includes means for directing a vapor coating composition of metal containing precursors e.g. a silicon containing precursor and a tin containing precursor onto the surface of the glass ribbon, and means for moving a first portion of the vapor along a first region of the ribbon surface in a first direction and a second portion of the vapor along a second region in a second opposite direction and maintaining the first portion of the coating composition on the first region for a longer period of time than the second portion of the coating composition on the second region to provide a coating on the glass ribbon having a varying composition of metal oxides as the distance from the coating-glass interface increases.

One embodiment of the inventive apparatus includes means for directing a vapor composed of coating reactant onto a substrate e.g. the glass ribbon supported on a molten tin bath. A first exhaust is spaced from the vapor directing facility on one side thereof, and a second exhaust is spaced from the vapor directing facility on the other side thereof and in alignment with the vapor directing facility. The first exhaust is spaced from the vapor directing facility a different distance than the second exhaust is spaced from the vapor directing facility. In another embodiment, a structural element is present between the vapor directing means and each exhaust means, bridging the space between them, whether these spaces are equal or not equal. The physical configuration of each bridge determines the path, flow rate and residence time of the coating vapor at each point along the surface of the substrate as it travels between the vapor directing means and each exhaust means, thereby determining the compositional variation of the coating deposited thereby.

The invention further relates to a transparent substrate e.g. a glass substrate having a coating thereon composed of mixed metal oxides e.g. silicon oxide and tin oxide. The coating composition has a continuously changing ratio of silicon oxide to tin oxide as the distance from the glass-coating interface increases, e.g. substantially all silicon oxide at the glass coating interface and substantially all tin oxide at the opposite coating surface. Between the glass-coating interface and the opposite coating surface there are minimal, if any, strata of a fixed ratio of silicon oxide to metal oxide and there are dispersed in the coating small amounts of phosphorus, boron, and/or aluminum when compounds containing those elements are used as accelerants to increase the coating deposition rate and control the coating morphology.

The invention still further relates to a vapor coating composition having a silicon containing precursor having the structural formula ##STR1## where R₁ is selected from groups that include alkyl and alkenyl. R₂ is the functional group giving the silicon compound the ability to be easily converted to silicon oxide and includes hydrogen, halogen, alkenyl and halogenated alkyl radicals. R₃ is a bridging group to provide for multiple silicon atom compounds and includes --S-- and ##STR2## groups. R₄ completes the bonding of the foundation silicon atom.

Also, the invention relates to a coating composition having mixed metal containing precursors e.g. tin and silicon containing precursors. The silicon metal precursor may include ##STR3## containing compounds described above and an accelerant capable of enhancing the reaction rate of the coating compounds. The accelerants include Lewis acids and Lewis bases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a coated substrate incorporating features of the invention and obtained using the apparatuses, processes, and coating materials of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of a coating system having two coating stations, one of which includes a coating apparatus having multiple coating zones incorporating features of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 of a coating apparatus having one coating zone incorporating features of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing a gradient coating and an extended and improved gradient coating deposited in accordance with the teachings of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing the effect of coating apparatus height from the surface of a glass substrate and carrier flow on the ratio of tin oxide to silicon oxide in the coating deposited on the glass substrate in accordance with the teachings of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing the effect on film thickness using the accelerants of the instant invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates the physical profile of a bridging structure of the present invention covering the space between the vapor directing means and exhaust means of the apparatus of the present invention, wherein from the vapor directing means to the exhaust means, the distance from the bridging structure to the substrate surface increases linearly.

FIG. 8 illustrates the physical profile of a bridging structure of the present invention covering the space between the vapor directing means and exhaust means of the apparatus of the present invention, wherein from the vapor directing means to the exhaust means, the distance from the bridging structure to the substrate surface changes nonlinearly.

FIG. 9 illustrates the physical profile of a bridging structure of the present invention covering the space between the vapor directing means and exhaust means, wherein the bridging structure is parallel to the substrate surface on both sides of the vapor directing means, but at different heights above the substrate surface.

FIG. 10 illustrates the physical profile of a bridging structure of the present invention covering the space between the vapor directing means and exhaust means, where from the vapor directing means to the exhaust means the distance from the bridging structure to the substrate surface is substantially a step function.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a coated article 10 that can be made using the apparatus of the invention. In general, the article 10 includes a substrate 12, e.g. but not limiting to the invention, plastic and/or clear or colored glass, having a coating 14 that exhibits minimum reflected color by having a continually varying refractive index, and preferably has an emissivity lower than the uncoated substrate. In the following discussion the substrate is a glass substrate. The coating 14, in general, is composed of a mixture of silicon oxide and a metal oxide, such as tin oxide. As with Zaromb, discussed above, the coating 14 has a continuously changing composition as the distance from the glass-coating interface 16 increases. Generally, near the glass-coating interface 16, the coating is predominantly silicon oxide, while at the opposite surface 18 of the coating 14 e.g. the coating surface farthest from the glass-coating interface 16, the composition of the coating is predominantly tin oxide. The predominantly tin oxide region may continue as predominantly tin oxide for a thickness required by the use of the article. For example when an article having a high emissivity is desired e.g. close to the emissivity of the glass substrate, the predominantly tin oxide region is thin; when an article having a low emissivity is desired, the predominantly tin oxide region is thicker. The tin oxide region may be doped with fluorine or antimony as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 3,677,814 to further reduce emissivity. Between the glass-coating interface 16 and opposite surface 18, the coating 14 is composed of continuously varying amounts of silicon oxide and tin oxide as the distance from the glass-coating interface 16 increases. In other words, as the distance from the glass-coating interface 16 increases, each succeeding region of the continuously varying composition in the coating 14 contains a tin oxide to silicon oxide weight percent ratio different than the preceding region and although not limiting to the invention, usually that ratio tends to increase as the distance from glass-coating interface 16 increases. The opposite surface 18 is predominantly tin oxide, i.e., the weight percent of silicon oxide in the outermost region approaches zero, and the weight percent of tin oxide approaches 100.

Although the coating 14 was discussed using a coating of tin oxide and silicon oxide, the invention is not limited thereto and as will be appreciated from the discussion below any two or more metal oxides may be used in the practice of the invention.

The coated article 10 of FIG. 1 was produced using coating system 19 shown in FIG. 2. A discussion of coating apparatus 20 in FIG. 3 will now be presented for a better appreciation of the features of the coating system 19 shown in FIG. 2. The apparatus 20 of FIG. 3 may be used to deposit a non-homogeneous coating of the type discussed above on the glass substrate 12. In FIG. 3 as in FIG. 2, the substrate 12 is a glass ribbon 22 or pieces cut therefrom.

With reference to FIG. 3, coating apparatus 20 is supported in any convenient manner above and spaced from the glass ribbon 22 supported on a pool or bath 24 of molten metal contained in a chamber having a non-oxidizing atmosphere, not shown, e.g. of the type of chamber taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,853,257 whose teachings are hereby incorporated by reference. As viewed in FIG. 3, the glass ribbon 22 moves from left to right beneath the coating apparatus 20 e.g. through a coating position. As will be appreciated the invention is not limited to the chamber, not shown, containing the pool of molten metal, nor to a non-oxidizing atmosphere and any chamber design having any type of atmosphere as well as other processes for moving a heated substrate past a coating apparatus embodying features of the invention may be used in the practice of the invention.

In general and not limiting to the invention, the ribbon 22 has a thickness range from about 0.08 inch to about 0.50 inch (about 2 to about 13 millimeters) and moves at speeds of about 700 to about 100 inches (about 17.80 meters to about 2.54 meters) per minute, respectively. The molten tin bath 24 has a temperature in the range of about 1000° F. (538° C.) to about 2000° F. (1094° C.).

The apparatus 20 includes an elongated coating unit 25, two elongated exhausts 28 and 26, one on each side of the coating unit 25, and two elongated discharge units 31 and 32, one on each outboard side of an exhaust as shown in FIG. 3. The term "elongated" as used herein means that the coating unit, exhausts and discharge units extend across the width of the ribbon i.e. transverse to the movement of the ribbon 22. The discharge units 31 and 32 provide an inert gas curtain to prevent the coating vapors from the coating zone, i.e. the zone between the discharge units 31 and 32, from moving into the chamber atmosphere and also to prevent the chamber atmosphere from moving into the coating zone. As can be appreciated the separation between the coating zone and chamber atmosphere is required because the atmosphere in the coating zone as will be discussed is an oxidizing atmosphere, and the chamber atmosphere as discussed above is a non-oxidizing atmosphere. In the practice of the invention, the inert gas was nitrogen.

The exhausts 26 and 28 in FIG. 3 are not equally spaced from the coating unit 25. More particularly, with the glass ribbon moving from left to right as shown in FIG. 3, the exhaust 28 is closer to the coating unit 25 than the exhaust 26. By positioning the exhausts at different distances from the coating unit the coating vapors are in contact with the ribbon surface for different periods of time. Therefore, all other parameters being equal, e.g., glass temperature, spacing between the coating unit and glass ribbon surface and exhaust pressures, a thicker coating will be deposited on the ribbon as it passes between the exhaust 26 and the coating unit 25, than between the coating unit 25 and the exhaust 28. This feature of the invention will be more fully appreciated in the discussion of the coating system 19 shown in FIG. 2.

As can now be appreciated, the design of the discharge units 31 and 32, the exhausts 26 and 28 and coating unit 25 are not limiting to the invention. The invention has been practiced using the exhausts 26 and 28 with an elongated opening 36 connected to a collection chamber 38 and using the discharge units 31 and 32 with an elongated opening 50 connected to a discharge chamber 46. The inert gas has uniform pressure and constant velocity along the length of the opening 50 to provide a curtain of inert gas, a portion of which flows into the chamber (not shown) atmosphere and a portion toward the adjacent exhaust 26 or 28 as shown in FIG. 3.

The coating unit 25 includes a discharge chamber 56. The coating vapor exits the chamber 56 by way of elongated opening 58 and is directed toward the surface of the glass ribbon 22 passing beneath the opening 58. The coating vapor has a uniform pressure and constant velocity along the length of the opening 58 and has sufficient pressure to allow a portion of the coating vapor to flow upstream and a portion to flow downstream as viewed in FIG. 3.

The amount of nitrogen typically introduced by each discharge unit 31 and 32 ranges from about 20 to about 300 standard cubic feet per minute for a ribbon having a width of about 160 inches (4.06 meters). As can be appreciated the flow rate of the nitrogen is not limiting to the invention; however, it should be sufficient to provide an inert curtain separating the coating zone and the chamber atmosphere.

The openings 36 of the exhausts 26 and 28 and the exhaust pressure is adjusted to exhaust a portion of the inert gas from the adjacent discharge unit 31 and 32, respectively, and a portion of the coating vapor from the coating unit 25. As seen in FIG. 3 and as discussed above, the exhaust 26 is spaced further from the coating unit 25 than the exhaust 28. With this arrangement and maintaining the exhaust pressure the same for each exhaust unit, the coating vapor residence time is greater for the glass ribbon 22 as it moves from the exhaust 26 toward the coater unit 25 than for the glass ribbon as it moves from the coater unit 25 toward the exhaust 28.

Although the above asymmetric arrangement is preferred, because of the simplicity thereof, the invention is not intended to be so bound, since the discovery herein resides in the fact that having different coating vapor residence times on different sides of a coater unit alters the final composition of the coating. Therefore, other apparatuses or processes suitable for obtaining such an effect can be used. It has been determined that the same effect achieved with asymmetrically arranged exhausts, as discussed above, can also be achieved, even with symmetric spacing of the coating unit 25 and the exhausts by, for example, adjustment of the height or level of the openings 36 of the exhausts 26 and 28 relative to one another and to the glass ribbon. Another method to vary the coating vapor residence time is to vary the ratio of the flow of the exhaust 26 to the exhaust 28.

By way of illustration only, in the instance when the spacing between the coating unit 25 and exhausts 26 and 28 is symmetrical, reducing the pressure of the exhaust 26 below the pressure of the exhaust 28, results in the coating vapor residence time between the coating unit 25 and exhaust 26 being greater than the coating vapor residence time between the coating unit 25 and the exhaust 28.

In an alternative embodiment of the coating apparatus of the present invention, comprising means for directing a vapor toward a substrate comprising a nozzle having an elongated outlet opening, first exhaust means having an elongated inlet opening spaced from the vapor directing means on one side, and second exhaust means having an elongated inlet opening spaced from the vapor directing means on the other side, a first dimension is defined by the shortest distance from the vapor directing means to the exhaust means, a second dimension is defined by the elongated opening of the vapor directing means substantially perpendicular to the first dimension, and a third dimension is substantially mutually perpendicular to both the first and second dimensions, so that the inlet opening of the first exhaust means and the inlet opening of the second exhaust means are at different positions in the third dimension. That is, the first and second exhaust means are at different heights above the substrate surface.

In another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, a bridging structure covers the space between the vapor directing means and the exhaust means. Whether the exhaust means are spaced equally or unequally on either side of the vapor directing means, the coating composition residence time can be varied on opposite sides of the vapor directing means by the shape of the bridging structure. The vapor directing means outlet discharges the coating composition vapor toward the substrate. The vapor stream is split into two parts that are directed in opposite directions toward the exhaust means. As the coating composition vapor moves toward the exhaust means, it is maintained in relatively close contact with the substrate surface by a bridging structure that covers the space between the vapor directing means and the exhaust means. The bridging structure can be made of any suitable material, such as machined stainless steel, sheet metal or graphite. The bridging structure maintains the coating composition vapor near the substrate surface and determines the distance between the bridging structure and the substrate surface as a function of position between the vapor directing means and the exhaust means.

In another embodiment, the coating apparatus of the present invention further comprises a first bridging structure covering the distance between the vapor directing means and the first exhaust means, and a second bridging structure covering the distance between the vapor directing means and the second exhaust means, and these bridging structures are at different positions in the third dimension. That is, the bridging structures are at different heights above the substrate surface. One or both of the bridging structures may be substantially parallel with the substrate surface. In an alternative embodiment, at least one of the bridging structures is shaped such that its position in the third dimension varies as a function of position between said vapor directing means and exhaust means. That is, the bridging structure is not parallel with the substrate surface. The height of the bridging structure above the substrate surface may vary continuously or discontinuously, and may increase or decrease as a function of the distance from the vapor directing means to the exhaust means.

FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10 illustrate the feature of the apparatus of the present invention wherein a bridging structure covering the space between the coating vapor directing means and exhaust means is configured to provide a varying distance between the bridging structure and the substrate surface, in order to vary the coating vapor residence time along different portions of the substrate surface. The compositional profile of the coating can be tailored by altering the distance between the coating unit and the substrate surface as a function of the distance between the vapor directing means and the exhaust means.

FIG. 7 shows the bottom of a coating unit in which the position of the vapor directing means and the exhaust means are relative to the substrate surface and are not equal and there is a linear change in spacing from the vapor directing means to the exhaust means. As the coating composition vapor travels from the vapor directing means to the exhaust means, the velocity of the vapor decreases due to the increased cross sectional area available. This has the effect of changing the rate of compositional change in the deposited coating. If, for example, a coating unit with the exhaust means and vapor directing means at the same height above the substrate surface produced a coating with a compositional slope of 1, then with the exhaust means higher or lower than the vapor directing means, the compositional slope would be either higher or lower than 1. Specifically for the case displayed in FIG. 7, if the exhaust means are higher than the vapor directing means, the coating would have a lower Sn/Si ratio at the top and bottom of the coating. If the exhaust means are lower than the vapor directing means, then the Sn/Si ratio at the top and bottom of the coating would be higher.

FIG. 8 shows a bridging structure that would produce a coating with a zone of relatively high and constant tin to silica ratio and then a gradual change in composition to a lower tin to silica ratio at the top and bottom of the coating for the example described in FIG. 5. FIGS. 9 and 10 show alternate bridging structure configurations.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the coating system 19 was used to apply the coating 14 of the coated article 10 shown in FIG. 1. The coating system 19 includes a coating station 59 for applying a compositionally graded coating and coating station 60 for extending the thickness of the predominantly tin oxide region at the surface 18 of the coating 14 (see FIG. 1). The coating station 59 includes coating units 61, 62 and 64, exhausts 66, 68, 70 and 72 and discharge units 31 and 32. The coating station 60 is not limiting to the invention; however the coating station used in the practice of the invention was the type of coating apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,853,257 which teachings are hereby incorporated by reference. Opening 50 of the discharge unit 31 is spaced about 25 inches (63.5 centimeters) from opening 50 of the discharge unit 32; opening 74 of the exhaust 66 is spaced about 22-1/2 inches (57 centimeters) from the opening 50 of the discharge unit 32; opening 76 of the coating unit 61 is spaced about 20 inches (51 centimeters) from the opening 50 of the discharge unit 32; opening 78 of the exhaust 68 is spaced 17-1/2 inches (44.5 centimeters) from the opening 50 of the discharge unit 32; opening 80 of the coating unit 62 is spaced about 12-1/2 inches (32 centimeters) from the opening 50 of the discharge unit 32; opening 82 of the exhaust 70 is spaced about 10 inches (25.4 centimeters) from the opening 50 of the discharge unit 32; opening 84 of the coating unit 64 is spaced about 5 inches (12.7 centimeters) from the opening 50 of the discharge unit 32, and opening 86 of the exhaust 72 is spaced about 2-1/2 inches (6 centimeters) from the opening 50 of the discharge unit 32. The coating station 60 was spaced about 6 feet (1.8 meters) from the discharge unit 32.

The openings 50, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, and 86 were spaced, in a convenient manner, about 0.2 inches (0.51 centimeter) above the upper surface of the glass ribbon 22 as viewed in FIG. 2. The length of the openings 50 was about 25 inches (64 centimeters); the length of the openings 74, 78, 82 and 86 was about 25 inches (64 centimeters) and the length of the openings 76, 80 and 84 was about 21 inches (53.34 centimeters). The width of the openings 50 was about 0.125 inch (0.32 centimeter); the width of the openings 74, 78, 82 and 86 was about 0.250 inch (0.64 centimeter) and the width of the openings 76, 80 and 84 was about 0.06 inch (0.15 centimeter). The flows of nitrogen and coating vapor were about 350 to about 700 SLPM (standard liters per minute). The exhaust flow was about 375 to about 770 SLPM. The glass ribbon speeds were between about 200-700 inches (5.08-17.78 meters) per minute, the temperature of the glass ribbon moving into, through and out of the coating stations 59 and 60 was between about 1170-1250° F. (635-675° C.).

The coating system 19 and in particular the coating station 59 and the method associated therewith are especially effective for the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of coatings from mixtures of silicon and metal containing precursors to provide the article 10 shown in FIG. 1.

In the following discussion, the coating 14 is made from a mixture of tin containing precursors and silicon containing precursors capable of being volatilized and converted to their corresponding oxides in the presence of oxygen at temperatures in the range of about 750° to about 1500° F. (about 400° C. to about 815° C.). As will be appreciated the invention is not limited thereto and other metal containing precursors may be used with the coating apparatus and in the coating processes discussed above.

Examples of silicon compounds that may be used in the practice of the invention include, but are not limited to, tetraethoxysilane, silane, diethylsilane, di-t-butoxydiacetoxysilane and the silicon compounds disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,378,396 to Zaromb and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,187,336, 4,308,316, 4,377,613, 4,419,386, 4,206,252, 4,440,822, and 4,386,117, which are incorporated herein by reference.

Compounds that have been used in the practice of the invention include diethylsilane, tetramethoxysilane, tetraethoxysilane, tetraisopropoxysilane, diethyldichlorosilane, tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane and triethoxysilane.

In addition to the silicon containing precursors discussed above, the invention contemplates silicon containing precursors that can be converted to their corresponding silicon oxides and can be used in admixture with the metal containing precursors to form the desired coating on a substrate e.g. a glass substrate having a coating with the desired mixed oxide gradient.

When looking for a silicon containing precursor to form a silicon oxide coating, one skilled in the art would not normally choose a precursor having an Si--O bond because it is one of the strongest bonds in nature to break, as is evidenced by the stability of the mineral quartz (SiO₂). Therefore breaking the Si--O bond in the precursor and rearranging it into a network lattice containing the silicon oxide bonds desired for a coating is difficult e.g. the siloxane bond requires high temperature and/or long periods of time to form a corresponding silicon oxide coating. For this reason silicon containing precursors having the siloxane structure would not be expected by one skilled in the art to be useful in the formation of a silicon oxide coating on a moving substrate.

It has been determined, however, that if a compound carrying an Si--O bond also carries at least one specific functional group, the reactivity of the silicon containing precursor having the Si--O bond, and therefore its coating formation rate, will be increased, even though the bond strengths would not seem to indicate any appreciable change in its coating formation behavior. The functional groups that are capable of giving the silicon containing precursor containing an Si--O bond the ability to be easily converted to a silicon oxide coating include hydrogen, halogens, vinyls and α-chlorinated alkyls. The reactivity of the silicon containing precursor can then be tailored by the appropriate choice of functional groups. The silicon containing precursor of the instant invention is not limited to having only the above-defined substituents thereon. As long as one or more of the above-defined functional groups is present on the silicon containing precursor carrying the Si--O bond, other groups, such as alkyls and other substituents more fully defined below, can also be present without a significant deleterious effect on the overall reactivity of the silicon containing precursor.

Compounds bearing the Si--O bond can be exemplified by reference to the following structural formula I: ##STR4## wherein R₁ is selected from the following Group A which consists of compounds that do not have an oxygen available to form the peroxide bond:

alkyl, or substituted alkyl, radicals having from 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 4, carbon atoms, such as --CH₃, --CH₂ CH₂ CH₃ and --CH₂ CH₂ OH;

halogenated or perhalogenated alkyl radicals having from 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 4, carbon atoms, such as --CCl₃, --CH₂ CHClCH₃ and --CH₂ CCl₂ CCl₃ ;

alkenyl or substituted alkenyl radicals having from 2 to 10, preferably 2 to 4, carbon atoms, such as --CH═CHCH₃ and --CH═CH₂ ;

alkynyl or substituted alkynyl radicals having from 2 to 10, preferably 2 to 4, carbon atoms, such as --C.tbd.C--CH₃ and --C.tbd.CH; and

aryl or aralkyl or substituted aryl or aralkyl radicals having from 6 to 11, preferably 6 to 9, carbon atoms, such as --C₆ H₅ and --C₆ H₄ CH₃ ;

wherein R₂ are functional groups that form a bond with the Si atom which is easily thermally broken e.g. at temperatures between about 200° F.-800° F. (about 93.5° C.-445° C.) and preferably between about 400° F.-700° F. (205° C.-370° C.) The functional group (R₂) capable of giving the silicon containing precursor the ability to be easily converted to a silicon oxide coating is selected from Group B consisting of:

hydrogen;

halogen, preferably Cl;

alkenyl or substituted alkenyl radicals as defined in Group A for R₁ ;

α-halogenated alkyl or perhalogenated alkyl, and alkynyl or substituted alkynyl radicals as defined in Group A for R₁ ;

wherein R₃ is a bridging group to provide for multiple silicon atom compounds. R₃ is selected from Group C consisting of:

--S--; ##STR5## wherein R₅ is an alkyl or substituted alkyl radical having from 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 4, carbon atoms, such as --CH₂ CH₃ or --CH₂ CH₂ CH₃ ; ##STR6## wherein R₅ is as defined above. ##STR7## where n is 1 to 10 preferably 1 to 4, and wherein R₄ completes the bonding on the foundation silicon atom. R₄ is selected from the Groups A and B above and the following Group D consisting of:

alkoxide or substituted alkoxide radicals having from 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 4, carbon atoms, such as --OCH₂ CH₃ ; alkyl or substituted alkyl radicals having from 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 5, carbon atoms, such as --CH₂ CH₃ ;

--CN;

--OCN, and

--PH₂ ;

alkylphosphines, and dialkylphosphines, wherein the alkyl radical has from 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 4, carbon atoms, such as --PHCH₃ and --P(CH₂ CH₃)₂.

Substituents for Groups A, B and D discussed above, can be selected from following Group E consisting of:

an alkoxide radical having from 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 4, carbon atoms, such as --OCH₂ CH₂ CH₂ CH₃ ;

an alkyl radical having from 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 4, carbon atoms, such as --CH₂ CH₂ CH₃ ;

a halogen or a halogenated alkyl radical having from 0 to 10, preferably 0 to 4, carbon atoms, such as Cl or --CCl₃ ;

an alkenyl radical having from 2 to 10, preferably 2 to 4, carbon atoms, such as --CH═CH₂ ;

an alkynyl radical having from 2 to 10, preferably 2 to 4, carbon atoms, such as --C.tbd.--CH;

an aryl or aralkyl radical having from 6 to 11, preferably 6 to 9, carbon atoms, such as --C₆ H₅ ;

--CN;

--OCN;

phosphine, alkylphosphine, and dialkyl phosphine radicals, wherein the alkyl group has from 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 4, carbon atoms, such as --PH₂, --PHCH₃, --P(CH₂ CH₃)₂, and

--OH.

A variety of compounds can be formed from the base structure I. When a molecule containing a single silicon atom is desired, R₃ can be selected from Groups A, B or D. When multi-silicon atom molecules are desired, R₃ is a bridging group. In the multi-silicon atom molecule case, R₃ connects two silicon atoms directly. When the multi-silicon atom molecules are cyclic, R₄ is not present on any of the silicon atoms. When the multi-silicon molecules are straight or branched chain molecules, the R₄ groups are present only on the silicon atoms in the terminating position in the chain. When molecules with more than two silicon atoms are desired, the bridging groups, R₃, can be the same or different.

Another type of bonding is possible to create multi-silicon atom molecules with Si--O--Si bonds. In this case, R₁ is no longer selected from Group A and is instead another silicon bearing group from base structure I with the continued requirement of having an R₂ selected from Group B. The bonding between the silicon bearing groups is chosen so that a direct Si--O--Si bond is formed. If a molecule with more than two silicon atoms is desired, R₄ is only present on the terminating silicon atoms as described above. R₃ can now be selected from Groups A, B, C or D. By selecting R₃ from Group C we can create multi-silicon atom molecules with different bridging groups, i.e., Si--O--Si--N--Si.

As can now be appreciated, simple or complex silicon containing precursors are possible. The only requirement remains that each silicon atom have bonded directly to it an oxygen atom and a functional group selected from Group B.

Specific compounds that may be used in the practice of the invention include tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane, tetramethyldisiloxane and triethoxysilane. Specific compounds that may be used in the practice of the invention, but not limiting thereto, are methyldimethoxysilane, dimethylmethoxysilane, trimethoxysilane, dimethylchloromethoxysilane, methylchlorodimethoxysilane, chlorotrimethoxysilane, dichlorodimethoxysilane, trichloromethoxysilane, triethoxysilylacetylene, trimethylpropynylsilane, tetramethyldisiloxane, tetramethyldichlorodisiloxane, tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane, triethoxysilane, chlorotriethoxysilane, pentachloroethyltriethoxysilane and vinyltriethoxysilane.

Metal containing precursors that can be used in admixture with the silicon containing precursors defined above in the chemical vapor deposition of mixed oxides on a glass substrate include metal containing precursors that are vaporizable at or below about 500° F. (260° C.) and that will react with an oxygen-containing gas to form the corresponding metal oxides. Preferably, but not limiting to the invention, compounds that may be used include organometallic compounds containing metals including but not limited to titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, gallium, germanium, arsenic, selenium, yttrium, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, cadmium, rhodium, ruthenium, palladium, indium, antimony, tellurium, tantalum, tungsten, platinum, lead, bismuth, aluminum, and tin. Of these metal compounds, tin compounds are most preferred. Examples of tin compounds useable herein include those defined by the following structural formula II: ##STR8## wherein R₆, R₇, R₈, and R₉ are the same or different and include but are not limited to halogens preferably Cl or F, an alkyl radical having from 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 4, carbon atoms, such as --CH₃, an aryl group having from 6 to 11, preferably 6 to 9, carbon atoms, such as --C₆ H₅. In the practice of the invention any other organic or inorganic functional group can be used provided the vapor pressure of the resultant compound is at least 0.01 pounds per square inch absolute, below about 500° F. (260° C.).

The silicon containing precursors defined above, including those bearing the Si--O bond, can be used alone, or they can be used in admixture with the organometallic compounds discussed above in the chemical vapor deposition of the corresponding single or mixed oxides on a glass substrate. However, when the silicon containing precursor is used alone, or in admixture with other metal containing precursors, in the chemical vapor deposition of single or mixed oxides onto a moving substrate e.g. coating a ribbon of glass advancing along a molten metal bath or on a conveyor, it is desirable to have a rate of silicon oxide deposition sufficient to coat the moving glass substrate. For example, when coating an advancing glass ribbon and the deposition rate of silicon oxide is relatively low, the glass ribbon speed has to be reduced. More particularly, to deposit about a 1200 Å thick coating on a glass ribbon moving at a line speed of greater than about 300 inches (7.62 meters) per minute, the rate of deposition of all classes of silicon containing precursors used in the chemical vapor deposition processes has to be increased to attain a uniform coating.

A number of materials have been identified that can be used to accelerate the deposition rate of silicon oxides from their precursors. The type and functionality of each accelerant depends to some extent on the silicon containing precursors with which it will be used. Combinations have been determined for a specific coated article and for the process used to deposit the desired coating, in particular, the mixed oxide of the invention. It has further been determined that a synergistic effect occurs between certain combinations of precursors and accelerants that result in a beneficial altering and control of the morphology of the coating.

Accelerants that can be used in the practice of the invention to increase the deposition rate of silicon oxide alone or in combination with another oxide, for example, tin oxide, can be defined as follows:

(1) Lewis Acids, such as trifluoroacetic acid and hydrochloric acid.

(2) Lewis Bases, such as NaOH, NaF, CH₃ OH, CH₃ OCH₃ and S(CH₃ CH₂)₂.

(3) Water.

(4) Compounds of nitrogen, phosphorus, boron, and sulfur having the following structural formulae: ##STR9## wherein Y is selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, boron and phosphorus and R₁₀, R₁₁, R₁₂, R₁₃ and R₁₄ are selected from the following list of functional groups, hereinafter referred to as Group F:

hydrogen;

halogens, preferably Cl;

alkenyl or substituted alkenyl radicals having from 2 to 10, preferably 2 to 4, carbon atoms, such as --CH═CH₂ ;

perhalogenated alkyl or substituted alkyl radicals having from 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 4, carbon atoms, such as --CClH₂ or halogenated alkyl or substituted alkyl radicals having from 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 4, carbon atoms, such as --CCl₂ CH₂ CH₃ ;

acyloxy radicals having from 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 4, carbon atoms, such as --OCOCH₃ ;

alkynyl or substituted alkynyl radicals having from 2 to 10, preferably 2 to 4, carbon atoms, such as --C.tbd.CH;

alkyl or substituted alkyl radicals having from 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 4, carbon atoms, such as --CH₃, --CH₂ CH₂ CH₃ ;

aryl or substituted aryl radicals having from 6 to 10, preferably 6 to 9, carbon atoms, such as --C₆ H₄ CH₃ ;

alkoxide or substituted alkoxide radicals having from 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 4, carbon atoms, such as --OCH₂ CH₂ CH₃ ;

wherein said substituents are from Group E discussed above,

examples of which compounds include but are not limited to triethylphosphite, trimethylphosphite, trimethylborate, PF₅, PCl₃, PBr₃, PCl₅, BCl₃, BP₃, (CH₃)₂ BBr, SF₄ and HO₃ SF. In the practice of the invention triethylphosphite was used.

(5) Compounds of aluminum having the following structural formula III may be used to accelerate the deposition rate of silicon containing precursors alone or in combination with other metal containing precursors (the "other metal containing precursors", as can be appreciated, do not include aluminum containing precursors): ##STR10## wherein R₁₅, R₁₆, and R₁₇ are the same or different and are selected from the following Group G:

hydrogen;

halogens, preferably Cl;

--O--R₁₇, wherein R₁₇ is a linear, branched or substituted alkyl radical having from 1 to 10carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 4, with substituents selected from Group E discussed above;

--S--R₁₈, where R₁₈ is equivalent to R₁₇ defined above;

--NH₂ ;

R₁₉ --N--R₂₀, wherein R₁₉ and R₂₀ are linear or branched alkyl groups, or substituted alkyl groups having from 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 4, carbon atoms, with substituents selected from Group E discussed above; (less the phosphine groups, such as --PH₂); and

N R₂₁, wherein R₂₁ forms cyclic group having from 2 to 10preferably 2 to 6 carbon atoms, with substituents selected from Group E discussed above (less the phosphine groups).

(6) Ozone.

The mechanism that causes the accelerants of the invention to increase the rate of deposition is not completely understood. Even though the mechanism is not completely understood the results, discussed below, clearly demonstrate that the mixed oxide coating deposition rate was increased. With reference to Table 2 in Example I below, Run Nos. 11 and 12 contain the accelerant triethylphosphite. The growth rate of the silicon oxide coating was at least twice the rate of the silicon oxide coating of Run No. 2 that did not have an accelerant.

A moving glass substrate was coated using the same precursor chemistry as used in Run Nos. 11 and 12 of Table 2 and similar deposition rates resulted. The precursors were vaporized at a temperature of about 150° F. (650° C.) to about 500° F. (260° C.), and the gaseous mixture of the precursors, oxygen containing gases, and carrier gas and accelerant, were brought into contact with a glass ribbon supported on a molten metal bath and heated to a temperature of about 950° F. (510° C.) to about 1350° F. (730° C.). The glass ribbon advanced at a speed of about 170 to 730 inches (4.25 to 18.00 meters) per minute.

The amounts of the components that may be used in the practice of the invention are defined below in Table 1.

                  TABLE 1     ______________________________________                   Mole Percent     Compound        Broad Range Preferred Range     ______________________________________     Metal Containing Precursor                     0.005 to 5.0                                  0.1 to 2.0     Silicon Containing Precursor                     0.0001 to 5.0                                 0.05 to 2.0     Oxygen-Containing Gas                      1.0 to 99.0                                  5.0 to 50.0     Accelerant      0.0001 to 10.00                                 0.01 to 2.0     ______________________________________

When the substrate 12 (see FIG. 1) e.g. glass substrate is subjected to chemical vapor deposition of mixed oxides, for example, a mixture of silicon oxide and tin oxide, to obtain the coating 14 thereon in accordance with the process of the invention, the coating 14, as discussed above, is characterized by having a continuously varying composition as the distance from the glass-coating interface 16 increases, resulting in a substantial reduction of iridescence in the coated product. Assuming a coating composed of substantially silicon oxide and tin oxide, that portion of the coating adjacent to the glass-coating interface 16 is composed largely of silicon oxide and as the distance from the glass-coating composition increases, each succeeding region of the continuously varying composition contains a silicon oxide to tin oxide ratio that varies as the distance from the glass-coating interface increases. More particularly, the percent of silicon oxide decreases as the percent of tin oxide increases, so that as the opposite surface 18 is reached, the region is composed predominantly of tin oxide. Thereafter the thickness of the region of predominantly tin oxide may be increased to reduce the emissivity of the coated article.

It has been determined that when chemical vapor deposition of mixed oxides on a glass substrate is carried out with the addition of one or more of the accelerants of the instant invention e.g. compounds of phosphorus, aluminum, or boron, a small amount of the foundation atom e.g. phosphorus, aluminum or boron is found dispersed in the coating 14. The presence of phosphorus, aluminum and/or boron in the coating affects the morphology of the resultant coating so that the aforementioned continuously changing components have a decreased probability of forming strata with discrete composition e.g. layers that have a fixed ratio of silicon oxide to tin oxide for thicknesses greater than about 70 Å. Additionally, the presence of phosphorus, aluminum and/or boron affects the morphology of the resultant coating by decreasing the percent crystallinity (approaching 0% crystallinity) and thereby reduces the light scattering properties which can be observed as haze. The amount of the phosphorus, aluminum or boron compound incorporated in the layer is a function of process variables. In the practice of the invention a glass ribbon moving at speeds between 175 to 730 inches (425 to 1800 centimeters) per minute, and having a temperature in the range of 1180° F. (637° C.) to 1220° F. (660° C.) was coated with a gaseous mixture having a phosphorus compound as an accelerant; the mole fraction of the accelerant was 0.01 to 0.5. One to 12 atomic percent of phosphorus was found dispersed in the coating. The invention encompasses using an amount of accelerant greater than 0 and up to 15 atomic percent with a preferred range of 1 to 5 atomic percent.

The present invention will be further appreciated and understood from the description of specific examples which follow:

EXAMPLE I

A number of compositions were prepared from silicon containing precursors and monobutyltinchloride to illustrate the increased growth rate of mixed oxide films on a glass substrate in accordance with the teachings of the invention. In each composition, monobutyltinchloride was used with different silicon containing precursors. The precursors were vaporized, when necessary, and the resulting gaseous mixture of precursors, oxygen and nitrogen, were introduced into a quartz tube that was electrically heated and controlled to maintain a temperature of 300° F. (150° C.). The concentration of the silicon containing precursors was in all instances 0.30 mole percent, the monobutyltinchloride 0.50 mole percent, oxygen 21 mole percent, with the remainder nitrogen. The velocity of the precursors and carrier gas was maintained at a rate of 30 centimeters per second in the quartz tube. This gas mixture was passed over a glass substrate heated to about 1200° F. (650° C.), for 3 to 30 seconds after which the spent gas mixture was vented into a chemical hood. The film thickness for all the runs except Run No. 8 discussed below was measured using a Tencor P1 profilometer. The film growth rate was calculated by dividing film thickness by the coating time. The data obtained are set forth below in Table 2.

                  TABLE 2     ______________________________________                                  Growth Rate,     Run No. Silicon Containing Precursors                                  Å/Second     ______________________________________     1       diethylsilane        129     2       tetraethoxysilane     43     3       di-t-butoxydiacetosilane                                   64     4       tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane                                  181     5       tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane                                  205     6       tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane                                  177     7       tetramethyldisiloxane                                  164     8       ethyltriacetoxysilane                                   110*     9       triethoxysilane      139     10      methyldiacetoxysilane                                   32     11      tetraethoxysilane + 0.31 mole percent                                  136             triethylphosphite     12      tetraethoxysilane + 0.09 mole percent                                   87             triethylphosphite     ______________________________________      *estimated

Run No. 1 was used as the control because the diethylsilane is generally accepted as having an acceptable rate of deposition.

The tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane precursors used in Run Nos. 4, 5 and 6 were obtained from different suppliers. Run Nos. 2, 3 and 10 using silicon containing precursors having an Si--O bond without the accelerants or the functional groups of the instant invention had an expected low growth rate. Run Nos. 4, 5, 6, 7 and 9 which had a Si--O bond with the functional group of the instant invention had a deposition rate equal to or better than the control Run No. 1. Additionally Run No. 2 when augmented with an accelerator as taught in the instant invention (see Run Nos. 11 and 12) exhibited a deposition rate greater than Run No. 2 and approaching (Run No. 12) or exceeding (Run No. 11) the deposition rate of control Run No. 1.

Run No. 8 is a compound having the Si--O bond that does not contain a functional group or accelerant of the instant invention; however, it showed a deposition rate equal to the control Run No. 1. The film quality of Run No. 8 was extremely poor and the film thickness had to be estimated using interference colors which was different from the measuring technique used for Run Nos. 1-7 and 9-12.

EXAMPLE II

Two runs were carried out showing the advantages obtained using an asymmetric coater configuration of the instant invention in place of a symmetric coater configuration. Referring to FIG. 3, in one run the exhausts 26 and 28 were positioned relative to the coating unit 25 such that x/y=2 where "x" is the distance between the exhaust 26 and the coating unit 25 and "y" is the distance between the coating unit 25 and the exhaust 28, while in the other embodiment, the exhausts 26 and 28 were positioned relative to the coating unit 25 such that x/y=1. The coating composition vapor was maintained at 337° F. (166° C.) and contained 1.2 mole percent monobutyltinchloride, 0.3 mole percent tetraethoxysilane, 0.5 mole percent triethylphosphite, 1.0 mole percent water, 20 mole percent oxygen, and the balance nitrogen. The soda-lime-silica float glass ribbon supported by and moving along a molten metal bath had a thickness of about 0.118 inch (0.300 centimeter), a temperature of about 1200° F. (650° C.), and a line speed of 510 inches (13 meters) per minute. The surface of the openings of the nitrogen curtain provided by the discharge units 31 and 32 and the exhausts 26 and 28 were maintained at a height of about 0.22 inch (0.55 centimeter) above the surface to be coated of the glass ribbon 2.

The tin depth profile of a film produced on the glass ribbon using both the asymmetric and symmetric coater configurations is shown in the graph in FIG. 4. The film analysis was accomplished using the Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS) technique for purposes of comparing the gradient film produced by the two coater configurations. The RBS spectra in FIG. 4 were taken at a special angle in order to obtain optimum depth resolution of the tin atom distribution through the film.

A comparison of the asymmetric coater configuration (shown by solid line 210) with that of the symmetric coater configuration (shown by dotted line 212) is shown in the RBS spectra in FIG. 4. Of significance between the two tin depth profiles 210 and 212 is the extended region of the tin signal from 2025 keV at 3.7 relative counts down to 1890 keV at 1.4 relative counts as compared to the symmetric coater which has its tin signal varying from 2025 KeVC at 3.6 relative counts down to 1940 keV at 1.4 relative counts. This difference shows an increase in film thickness for an asymmetric coater configuration. As can be seen from FIG. 4 the asymmetric coater configuration provides the gradient coating with an extended range of varying composition.

EXAMPLE III

A series of runs was carried out using the coating apparatus 20 of FIG. 3 where the exhausts 26 and 28 were positioned relative to the coating apparatus 20 such that x/y=1. The coating composition vapor was maintained at 320° F. (165° C.) and contained 0.8 mole percent monobutyltinchloride, 0.3 mole percent tetraethoxysilane, 0.1 mole percent triethylphosphite, 0.54 mole percent water, with the balance air. The total gas flow and coater height were varied while the concentrations were held constant. The results obtained are set forth in the process contour chart in FIG. 5. By altering coater height in inches and carrier flow in standard liters per minute, the boundary layer conditions are altered in the coating zone thereby altering the relative ratio of tin oxide and silicon oxide deposited. The process contour chart shows how these two other techniques i.e. coater height and volumetric feed, alter the coating composition on the glass substrate.

As shown in FIG. 5 increasing the carrier flow for a given coating unit height, increases the ratio of tin oxide to silicon oxide. In other words, the weight percent of tin oxide increases as the weight percent of silicon oxide decreases. Raising the coating unit height for a given carrier flow decreases the ratio of tin oxide to silicon oxide i.e. the weight percent of tin oxide decreases as the weight percent of silicon oxide increases.

EXAMPLE IV

A number of runs were carried out to show the effects of water and triethylphosphite on the thickness of a mixed oxide film at a constant vapor residence time. The process chart, FIG. 6, was developed using experimental design data. The coating unit 25 shown in FIG. 3 was used with the exhausts 26 and 28 positioned relative to the coating unit 25 such that x/y=1. The precursor vapor was maintained at 320° F. (165° C.) and contained 0.8 mole percent monobutyltinchloride, 0.3 mole percent tetraethoxysilane. Triethylphosphite (TEP) and water were varied and sufficient air was added to obtain a volumetric feed rate of 500 standard liters per minute. The glass ribbon 22 had a thickness of 0.118 inch (0.300 centimeter), a temperature of 1200° F. (650° C.) and a line speed of 510 inches (13 meters) per minute. The coating unit 25 was maintained at a height of 0.22 inch (0.56 centimeter) above the surface of the glass ribbon. Note the substantial effect exhibited by the presence of triethylphosphite on the coating thickness. As the mole percent of triethylphosphite was increased the coating thickness increased. Increasing the mole percent of the water also increased the coating thickness.

EXAMPLE V

The article 12 of FIG. 1 was produced using the coating station 59 shown in FIG. 2, in conjunction with the coating station 60 described in the teachings of Henery. Coated articles were produced at three glass thicknesses i.e. at three different glass ribbon speeds to demonstrate the flexibility of the process. The coating station 59 was used to produce a coating that varied in composition from predominantly silicon oxide at the glass-coating interface 16 to predominantly pure tin oxide and the coating station 60 produced an extended thickness of predominantly tin oxide.

The coating station 59 had three coating units 61, 62 and 64 with openings 76, 80 and 84 respectively, and four exhausts 66, 68, 70 and 72. The exhausts 66 and 68 were positioned relative to the coating unit 61 in a symmetric configuration while the exhausts 68 and 70 and the exhausts 70 and 72 were arranged in an asymmetric configuration about their respective coater units 62 and 64. In addition the coating station 59 had two discharge units 31 and 32 each with opening 50. The distance between the openings 74 and 76, 76 and 78, 80 and 82, 84 and 86 was about 2-3/4 inches (7.08 centimeters). The distance between the openings 80 and 78, and between 84 and 82 was about 5-1/2 inches (14.0 centimeters).

To effect the desired change in composition of the coating, different chemical feed rate ranges are required in each of the coating units 61, 62 and 64. The chemical concentrations required to produce the desired compositional change are also a function of the speed of the glass ribbon. Examples of typical setpoints are given in Table 3. In each of these cases the carrier gas was air, maintained at a temperature of about 320° F. (160° C.). The total gas flow of the discharge units 31 and 32 was held at about 500 standard liters per minute. The coating station 59 was spaced about 0.22 inches (0.59 centimeter) above the moving glass ribbon 22. The extended region of predominantly tin oxide was deposited at the coating station 60 using the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 4,853,257.

The equation (√a^(*2) +b^(*2)) usually used by those skilled in the art to quantify the observability of color of an object is discussed by Hunter in Food Technology, Vol. 32, pages 100-105, 1967 and in The Measurement of Appearance, Wiley and Sons, New York, 1975. A coated glass product having a Hunter value of 12 or less is considered to exhibit no appreciable observable color. Listed in Table 3 under the column entitled Color Saturation Index is the measured Hunter value for the samples. As can be seen, all the samples had a color saturation index below 12.

                  TABLE 3     ______________________________________            MBTC    MBTC    MBTC   TEOS  TEOS  TEOS     Sample Unit 61 Unit 62 Unit 64                                   Unit 61                                         Unit 62                                               Cell 64     #      mole %  mole %  mole % mole %                                         mole %                                               mole %     ______________________________________     1      0.280   0.190   0.490  0.050 0.050 0.020     2      0.290   0.300   0.600  0.100 0.160 0.300     3      0.350   0.200   0.940  0.300 0.300 0.270     4      0.400   0.200   0.940  0.300 0.300 0.330     5      0.600   0.758   0.790  0.390 0.400 0.350     6      0.500   0.600   1.200  0.265 0.300 0.100     ______________________________________      MBTC means monobutyltintrichloride      TEOS means tetraethoxysilane

          TEP     TEP     TEP   WATER  WATER  WATER     Sample           Unit 61 Unit 62 Unit 64                                 Unit 61                                        Unit 62                                               Unit 64     #     mole %  mole %  mole %                                 mole % mole % mole %     ______________________________________     1     0.300   0.100   0.025 0.170  0.600  0.600     2     0.280   0.110   0.039 0.180  0.330  0.630     3     0.280   0.120   0.070 0.150  0.610  0.370     4     0.280   0.100   0.050 0.150  0.610  0.370     5     0.266   0.120   0.066 0.150  0.180  0.640     6     0.400   0.300   0.288 0.400  1.000  1.000     ______________________________________      TEP means triethyphosphite

                     GLASS    COLOR            GLASS     SPEED    SATUR- Gradient                                             Tin Oxide     Sample TEMPER-   inches/  ATION  Thickness                                             Thickness     #      ATURE °F.                      min.     INDEX  Å  Å     ______________________________________     1      1230      340      5.0    1200   4000     2      1234      340      5.0    1100   4000     3      1194      340      2.3    1250   3700     4      1200      340      3.6    1150   3650     5      1190      490      8.9     850   1750     6      1200      700      4.6    1000   1700     ______________________________________

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and further modifications may be made therein without departure from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims. 

We claim:
 1. A coating apparatus comprising:a means for directing a vapor in a first direction, said vapor directing means having a first side and an opposing second side; a first means for directing an inert gas in the first direction, the first gas directing means in a spaced facing relationship to the first side of the vapor directing means; a first exhaust means in a spaced facing relationship to the first side of the vapor directing means between and spaced from the first side of the vapor directing means and the first gas directing means, the first exhaust means pulling an atmosphere in a direction opposite the first direction; a second means for directing an inert gas in the first direction, the second gas directing means in a spaced facing relationship to the second side of the vapor directing means; a second exhaust means in a spaced facing relationship to the second side of the vapor directing means between and spaced from the second side of the vapor directing means and the second gas directing means, the second exhaust means pulling an atmosphere in a direction opposite the first direction, wherein a coating zone is formed between said first and second exhaust means, the first and second gas directing means providing an inert gas curtain isolating an atmosphere within the coating zone from an atmosphere external of the coating zone, and wherein said first and second exhaust means and said vapor directing means are positioned relative to one another such that the distance between said first exhaust means and said vapor directing means is defined as "x" and the distance between the second exhaust means and said vapor directing means is defined as "y", wherein the values of "x" and "y" are different.
 2. The coating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ratio of x/y is in the range of about 1.2 to about
 50. 3. The coating apparatus of claim 2, wherein the ratio of x/y is in the range of about 1.5 to 3.0.
 4. A coating apparatus comprising:a means for directing a vapor in a first direction, said vapor directing means having a first side and an opposing second side; a first means for directing an inert gas in the first direction, the first gas directing means in a spaced facing relationship to the first side of the vapor directing means; a first exhaust means in a spaced facing relationship to the first side of the vapor directing means between and spaced from the first side of the vapor directing means and the first gas directing means, the first exhaust means pulling an atmosphere in a direction opposite the first direction; a second means for directing an inert gas in the first direction, the second gas directing means in a spaced facing relationship to the second side of the vapor directing means; a second exhaust means in a spaced facing relationship to the second side of the vapor directing means between and spaced from the second side of the vapor directing means and the second gas directing means, the second exhaust means pulling an atmosphere in a direction opposite the first direction, wherein a coating zone is formed between said first and second exhaust means, the first and second gas directing means providing an inert gas curtain isolating an atmosphere within the coating zone from an atmosphere external of the coating zone, and a means for controlling a flow volume of said first and second exhaust means such that the flow volume of said first and second exhaust means are different.
 5. A coating apparatus according to claim 4,wherein said first exhaust means further comprises an elongated opening having an area, said second exhaust means further comprises an elongated opening having an area, and wherein the area of said first and second elongated openings are different.
 6. A coating apparatus comprising:a means for directing a vapor in a first direction comprising a nozzle having an elongated outlet opening, said outlet opening having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, said vapor directing means having an first side and an opposing second side; a first means for directing an inert gas in the first direction, the first gas directing means in a spaced facing relationship to the first side of the vapor directing means; a first exhaust means having an elongated inlet opening, the first exhaust means in a spaced facing relationship to the first side of the vapor directing means between and spaced from the first side of said vapor directing means and the first gas directing means, the first exhaust means pulling an atmosphere in a direction opposite the first direction; a second means for directing an inert gas in the first direction, the second gas directing means in a spaced facing relationship to the second side of the vapor directing means; a second exhaust means having an elongated inlet opening, the second exhaust means in a spaced facing relationship to the second side of the vapor directing means between and spaced from the second side of the vapor directing means and the second gas directing means, the second exhaust means pulling an atmosphere in a direction opposite the first direction; wherein a coating zone is formed between said first and second exhaust means, the first and second gas directing means providing an inert gas curtain isolating an atmosphere within the coating zone from an atmosphere external of the coating zone; and whereby a first dimension is defined as a generally horizontal dimension extending along a direction parallel to the transverse axis of the nozzle, a second dimension is defined as a generally horizontal dimension extending along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle, the second dimension being substantially perpendicular to the first dimension, and a third dimension is defined as a generally vertical dimension mutually perpendicular to both the first and second dimensions; wherein at least two of the inlet openings, the first outlet opening and the second outlet opening occupy differing positions in said third dimension.
 7. A coating apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising:a first bridging structure interposed between the vapor directing means and the first exhaust means; and a second bridging structure interposed between the vapor directing means and the second exhaust means; wherein at least a portion of said first bridging structure, said second bridging structure and combinations thereof occupy different positions in said third dimension.
 8. A coating apparatus according to claim 7,wherein at least one of said first and second bridging structures is shaped such that its position in said third dimension varies as a function of the distance between the vapor directing means and the first and second exhaust means respectively.
 9. A coating apparatus according to claim 8,wherein at least one of said first and second bridging structures occupies a position in said third dimension linearly varying as a function of distance between the vapor directing means and the first or second exhaust means respectively.
 10. A coating apparatus according to claim 8,wherein at least one of said first and second bridging structures occupies a position in said third dimension varying nonlinearly as a function of distance between the vapor directing means and the first or second exhaust means respectively.
 11. A coating apparatus according to claim 8,wherein at least one of the first and second bridging structures occupies a first position in said third dimension for a first portion of the distance between the vapor directing means and said first or second exhaust means respectively, occupies a second position in said third dimension for a second portion of the distance between the vapor directing means and the first or second exhaust means respectively, and occupies a third position in said third dimension for a remaining portion of the distance between the vapor directing means and the first or second exhaust means respectively.
 12. The coating apparatus of claim 4, wherein the means for controlling the flow volume includes said first exhaust means pulling a first atmosphere and the second exhaust means pulling a second atmosphere, wherein said atmospheres are different.
 13. A coating apparatus for depositing a coating on a substrate, the coating having a varying chemical composition as the distance from the substrate/coating interface increases, comprising:a means for moving a substrate in a downstream direction along an article movement path lying in a generally horizontal plane; a means for directing a vapor comprising at least two chemical compositions toward the article movement path, the vapor directing means being positioned in spaced relation above the article movement path, said vapor directing means producing an upstream flow of the vapor and a downstream flow of the vapor along the surface of a substrate moved along said article movement path by said substrate moving means wherein at least a portion of said chemical composition in upstream vapor flow and said downstream vapor flow are deposited on the surface of the substrate; a first means for directing an inert gas toward the article movement path, the first inert gas directing means being positioned in spaced relation above the article movement path and in an upstream direction from the vapor directing means to produce a downstream flow of inert gas along the surface of a substrate moved along said article movement path by said substrate moving means; a first exhaust means positioned in spaced relation above the article movement path and interposed between said first inert gas directing means and said vapor directing means, said first exhaust means exhausting at least a portion of the upstream flow of said vapor and said downstream flow of said inert gas; a second means for directing an inert gas toward the article movement path, the second inert gas directing means being positioned in spaced relation above the article movement path and in a downstream direction from the vapor directing means to produce an upstream flow of inert gas along the surface of a substrate moved along said article movement path by said substrate moving means; a second exhaust means positioned in spaced relation above the article movement path and interposed between said second inert gas directing means and said vapor directing means, said second exhaust means exhausting at least a portion of the downstream flow of said vapor and said upstream flow of said inert gas; and a means for controlling the ratio of the chemical compositions deposited on the surface of a substrate moved along said article movement path such that a first ratio is obtained upstream of said vapor directing means and a second ratio is obtained downstream of said vapor directing means; wherein a coating is deposited on a surface of a substrate moved along said article movement having a varying chemical composition as a distance from the substrate/coating interface increases.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the means for controlling the ratio of the deposition of the chemical compositions comprises a means for differing an upstream coating vapor residence time between said vapor directing means and said first exhaust means from a downstream coating vapor residence time between said vapor directing means and said second exhaust means.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the means for differing said coating vapor residence times comprises positioning the first exhaust means a distance upstream of said vapor directing means and positioning said second exhaust means a second distance downstream of said vapor directing means wherein said first and second distance are not equal.
 16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the means for differing the coating residence times includes a means for differentially spacing at least one of said first exhaust means, said second exhaust means and said vapor directing means above said article movement path.
 17. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the means for differing the coating residence times includes a means for differing an upstream flow volume of said vapor between said vapor directing means and said first exhaust means from a downstream flow volume of said vapor between said vapor directing means and said second exhaust means.
 18. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the means for differing the coating residence times comprises:a first bridging structure positioned above the article movement path and interposed between the vapor directing means and the first exhaust means; and a second bridging structure positioned above the article movement path and interposed between the vapor directing means and the second exhaust means; each of said first and said second bridging structures being maintained in spaced relation above a surface of a substrate moved along said article movement path by said substrate moving means, said first bridging structure providing an upstream flow channel and said second bridging structure providing a downstream flow channel respectively for said vapor, said respective flow channels being bounded by the respective bridging structure and the substrate surface, wherein the ratio of the chemical compositions deposited on the surface of the substrate is controlled by controlling the velocity of the upstream vapor flow and the downstream vapor flow through said respective flow channels by varying an element selected from the group consisting of the spacing between the first bridging structure and the substrate, the spacing between the second bridging structure and the substrate and combinations thereof to produce differential vapor coating residence times.
 19. The coating apparatus of claim 13 further comprising a chamber having non-oxidizing atmosphere, wherein said first inert gas directing means, said first exhaust means, said vapor directing means, said second exhaust means and said second inert gas directing means are maintained within said chamber to form a coating zone; wherein said first and second inert gas directing means provide a curtain of inert gas to prevent the non-oxidizing atmosphere of said chamber from entering said coating zone.
 20. The coating apparatus of claim 13 wherein said chemical compositions are pyrolytically deposited on the surface of the substrate.
 21. A coating apparatus for depositing a coating on a substrate comprising:a means for moving a substrate in a downstream direction along an article movement path lying in a generally horizontal plane; a means for directing a vapor comprising at least two chemical compositions toward the article movement path, the vapor directing means being positioned in spaced relation above the article movement path; a first means for directing an inert gas toward the article movement path, the first inert gas directing means being positioned in spaced relation above the article movement path and in an upstream direction from the vapor directing means; a second means for directing an inert gas toward the article movement path, the second inert gas directing means being positioned in spaced relation above the article movement path and in a downstream direction from the vapor directing means; a first exhaust means positioned in spaced relation above the article movement path and interposed between said first inert gas directing means and said vapor directing means; a second exhaust means positioned in spaced relation above the article movement path and interposed between said second inert gas directing means and said vapor directing means; and a means for controlling the ratio of the chemical compositions deposited on the surface of a substrate moved along said article movement path such that a first ratio is obtained upstream of said vapor directing means and a second ratio is obtained downstream of said vapor directing means.
 22. The coating apparatus of claim 21 further comprising a chamber having non-oxidizing atmosphere, wherein said first inert gas directing means, said first exhaust means, said vapor directing means, said second exhaust means and said second inert gas directing means are maintained within said chamber to form a coating zone; wherein said first and second inert gas directing means provide a curtain of inert gas to prevent the non-oxidizing atmosphere of said chamber from entering said coating zone.
 23. The coating apparatus of claim 21 wherein said chemical compositions are pyrolytically deposited on the surface of the substrate. 